A new app claims to tell Airbnb and other short let platform landlords when to jack up asking prices in response to local events.

Called HostAlert it claims to enable short-let landlords “to become more sophisticated, equipped with the same tools and data employed by hotels, to make the informed decisions on pricing via predictions on demand surge.”

It claims events ranging from music gigs to major sporting events typically trigger huge increases in room costs in hotels, yet short-let landlords miss out “either lack of foresight or missing windows to adjust pricing on platforms before they are secured by savvy guests.”

The app says it “will see the price gaps between Airbnbs and hotels begin to close” because landlords will no longer be in the dark about major local events planned for the future.

App co-founder Paul O’Donoghue says: “For too long short-term rental hosts have been operated their businesses by looking in the rear-view mirror.  

“Pricing platforms act on historic data and cannot see the golden opportunities that lie ahead in the calendar.   

“Whilst big hotel companies have benefited from verified event data for years, independent operators have had a huge pricing blind spot and that is about to change.  

“By creating a single source of verified industry grade event data with the ability to adjust pricing at the same time as hotels, time is literally being called on ‘cheap’ Airbnb rooms.” 

He claims industry comparisons have shown Airbnb accommodation frequently undercut hotels in destinations, such as in London, where the average Airbnb accommodation is around £80–£120 per night compared with £100–£150 for mid-range hotel room.

The disparity has apparently become wider when major events take place, such as Oasis playing Cardiff in 2025 prompting a price surge of 354% as hotel rooms increased to £1,000, increasing further as supply becomes more constrained.  

The app’s charge is £14.99 per month for one event location or an annual plan at £144.